1982 / 03 / 26 – We will remember Sapper “Rosie” Rose

Among other things, the tasks of the Royal Engineers from Hameln consisted of blowing up explosives. In war time, they had to destroy the Weser bridges to prevent a fast move of the Warsaw Pact troops. In many exercises this was part of the scenarios. But also on Squadron level this scenario was practiced and I do not know how many times I went home from school and saw British soldiers on the two bridges, the railway bridge and the Valentini Bridge and watched how they did their job. I have always admired the boys, walk on the narrow bridges with no net and double bottom, freehand without safety belts.

The 26th of March 1982, however, was a sad day for the troops stationed in Hameln. On my way home, I also noticed that something was not right, something must have happened, because why is there an ambulance and British military together at the railway bridge?

The next day you could read in the local newspaper DEWEZET what happenend. The 21-year-old Sapper „Rosie“ Rose from 8 Troop – 42 Field Squadron RE stumbled on the bridge and touched the overhead contact line. Unfortunately the contact with the 15000 volt strong overhead line did not survive the young soldier . The quickly summoned emergency doctor could only determine the death. After this incident, the exercise was stopped immediately. Rest in Peace sapper and we will remember … ..